And Chuck did seem to enjoy being at the head table. "Having fun?" she asked with a smile.
Powell returned the smile. "Sure am! Last time I saw some of these, I was a prisoner remanded to the High King's Inquisitor, thinking sure I'd be dead in a day or so—now I'm your private secretary, Sealed to the Protector, and happy as a puppy with a new kid. What more could anyone ask?"
"Put that way, nothing," Cortin replied, amused. "You also look better in uniform than you did in civvies, if that matters."
"I think so, too." Powell hesitated, then glanced briefly at Odeon and mouthed, "What about Mike?"
Cortin shrugged, wishing again that she and the rest of the team shared the telepathy Shayan had given Sis, Dave, and Mike. Even limited to themselves, unlike the telepathic Talent Ivan described, it would have been useful.
There was no point in fruitless wishing, though, so she turned her attention to the meal and her hosts. "This was very thoughtful of you and the rest, Captain Watkins—we all appreciate it. I, for one, have gotten more out of touch than I intended, that morning at the Eagle's Nest."
"You have had a lot to occupy you, Excellency." Watkins ventured a smile. "It's an honor to have you with us—but I must confess it's a little unnerving sitting next to the Protector's Herald."
"It's more than a little unnerving to be the Herald," Cortin said. "It might not be as bad if I had a decent idea what I was supposed to do, but I'm operating by guesswork. On the other hand, it'll give me a better chance of establishing the Families." She wished she could tell everyone here about her Family, and fief, and coming grandchild, but that would have to wait … "Do you have an understanding chaplain yet?"
"Not exactly, but Lieutenant Bain hears Confessions at the Center often enough that we're in a lot better shape than we were." This time, his smile wasn't tentative. "Having the Communion of Promise, and the Herald being an Inquisitor, helps even more. Civs still don't like us, but I've seen less hostility since you got the stigmata."
"That'll help," Cortin said. "I have a feeling we're supposed to be the leaders of the Protector's … guardians, I suppose, for lack of a better word. Not to guard Him, of course, He won't need it, but to guard His people from the ones who don't accept Him and aren't willing to let those who do live in peace. As I told Colonel Illyanov once, as long as humans have free will, Enforcement's still going to be necessary."